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By Bat Digest | Last Updated August 3, 2022
The broader availability of the 2022 Xeno, compared to the 2021 version, is a behind-the-scenes WIN for consumers. The XENO was shelved as a Slugger. com-only product for the 2021 season and what many believed was the foreseeable future. In an attempt to capture more margin, Slugger wasn’t interested in giving full distribution to even its most trusted vendors. But, for 2022, and for no reason that was ever given to the public, Slugger returned to a broader distribution model. This increase in competition and broader distribution is only a win for consumers in the bat space. And in a world where bat prices only go up and distribution becomes more limited, this is a big little win.
The bat has not changed from its 2021 version (the same as its 2020 version). The 2022 Louisville Slugger Xeno is a two-piece composite bat with a good-sized barrel and a mostly balanced swing weight.
The 2022 Slugger Xeno’s differentiating feature is the stiffness of the connection, while all other two-piece composite bats in the performance fastpitch space have a flexible connection. If you want a stiffer connection between your barrel and handle on your fastpitch bat, then the Xeno is where you should look.
We like the drop 8 and 9 Xeno as some of our favorite power-hitting bats on the market. Big hitters might appreciate the loaded feel and the stiff connection. Smaller hitters who want a lighter swinging bat but a rigid connection should like the Xeno. But, to be sure, most more minor hitters who want bat speed and a soft swing aren’t in the mood for a stiff bat. Instead, they tend more towards a bat like the Slugger LXT or Easton Ghost with a more flexible connection.
The bat was initially made available only directly on Slugger.com’s site. However, some models were since released to a few select dealers.
Our recommendation is for the Xeno drop 8 and 9 to be in the bag of most heavy hitters who want a stiff connection or, at least, a different feeling bat than their drop 8 Easton Ghost Advanced or Rawlings Mantra. If you wish to drop 10 or 11, we think you’ll appreciate the bat’s durability and the more endloaded feel.
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We don’t know of fastpitch bats as stiff as the Xeno. So, if that’s what you want, this is the bat for you. If you are in the mood for a two-piece composite bat and don’t care about the stiffness in the connection, then you have many similar options.
There are no considerable changes in the 2022 Louisville Slugger Xeno compared to the 2021 version of the bat. The Xeno from Slugger has not changed in several years. If you can find an older one for cheap then don’t hesitate.
The 2022 Louisville Slugger Xeno is a two-piece composite bat built with foam and ring technology that helps slow impacts perform at peak levels while allowing the bat to pass the certification test. The bat has not changed much over the years, which is a good thing.
(From Louisville Slugger’s Writeup)
A bat built to run this game. Just like you. Introducing the 2022 Xeno Fastpitch Bat from Louisville Slugger. Stronger players who love a stiffer feel and connection love our two-piece IST Technology and the Dual-Disc S1ID™ Performance Composite Barrel that’s game-ready as soon as you step to the plate. The X-CAP End Cap and standard fastpitch grip helps deliver improved performance and feel on every swing.
The 2022 Xeno Fastpitch Bat is available exclusively on slugger.com.
Manufacturing tolerances, performance considerations, and grip weight may cause variations from the listed weight/Mass Index.
The overall rating uses seven different weighted metrics to determine our overall score. Half of total rating comes from the player and our exit speed tests (Player Rating: 25%, Performance: 25%).The other categories are Relevance (20%), Demand (10%), Durability (10%), Resell Score (5%), and Tech Specs (5%).
*: When a bat is denoted by a star (*) it is a preliminary rating. Expect it to be updated as we learn more about the bat and gather more data.
(PlaRa) Player Rating: We measure player rating from user reviews. Those users include our own hitters that we test at the lab as well as reviews we find online.
(ExVe) Performance: Performance measures the exit speeds and distances we capture in our hitting lab with HitTrax using these bats.
(Relv) Relevance: We measure the number of sizes and the MOI of the bat. Bats with a wider range of options get a better score.
(Dmnd) Demand: Demand is measured by consumer sentiment and the buzz around the bat.
(Drb) Durability: A bat’s durability is measured by user reviews as well as feedback from manufacturers.
(ReSl) Resell Score: Based on the price the bats go for used. Higher prices mean greater user demand which means, generally, a better bat. A resell value closer to its original price means a higher score.
(Tech) Tech Specs: We rate the bat on its technological advancements from previous years and compared to the industry at large. This is our chance to reward companies who are trying to innovate.
MOI
MOI or Mass Moment of Inertia is a measurement of bat swing weight. This quantifies how difficult it is to swing a bat. The industry often refers to this as things like End Load or Balanced but those words have been overused to the point of meaninglessness. We measure the actual swing weights of each bat we test using the industry-standard pendulum period, balance point, and scale weight. You can read more about that here.
Price
The price is the original MSRP price of the bat.
Type
The types of bats are single-piece alloy (SPA), two-piece composite (TPC), single-piece composite (SPC), hybrid (Hyb.), and wood (Wood). Hybrid bats are made of composite handles and alloy barrles.
Date
The estimated date the bat began distribution.
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